I went to a painting party the other day and decided to make something I could use in combination with my Silhouette machine. My master bedroom is in yellows and grays so I made this simple bird painting and left room for a quote I love about marriage.
I will be honest and confess that forgot how hard it is to get vinyl (Oracal 651) to adhere to canvas. You have to go slowly, burnish hard and I think using a blow dryer helped a little. I am adding the free file of this quote here: perfect marriage(studio3 file)
This would be a beautiful wedding gift on a mirror, shadow box, or anything for the newlyweds!
I love this quote because it states so much truth. We are imperfect and the best marriages are between people who know that about themselves and walk in humility. I'm currently reading this book by Dave Harvey and it is a great picture of how we need God's grace but also need to give that grace to our spouse. We are going to make mistakes. We are going to have rough days. As Christ followers though, we can remember that we are far from perfect and ask for forgiveness. Each day is a new opportunity to love and live better.
Have you ever seen the movie "War Games"? You know the Cold War thriller-lite with Matthew Broderick and Ally Sheedy? Its one of those movies I can't help watching if I flip by when its on even though I have seen it a million times. One of the scenes, actually the first scene, hit me last night as a very odd metaphor in my marriage. To launch the nuclear missile out of the silo, there were always two guys on alert. Both had to turn the key and the keys were so far apart that there was no way one person could physically do it. I think in a very weird way this is like my marriage relationship. I am the one ready to fire on any great adventure I see on the horizon and I'm thankful that my husband is God's failsafe in my life, always there to slow down my crazy enthusiasm. He is thankful that I push us into new frontiers and adventures though. Its just a beautiful way God has balanced our family. In Genesis 2:18, "The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." God knew that my husband would be more cautious and that I would be more impulsive and through miracles that I will never understand this side of heaven, He allowed these two wacky kids to meet and form a family. We honor God's design for marriage when we celebrate and rejoice in our differences and use them for His glory rather than being frustrated by them. What metaphors do you see in your marriage?
Maybe you watched Lost, maybe you didn't but I think there is something in this video for everyone. I think this was one of the best few minutes in television history. I think there is a deep spiritual moment in this ABC drama that maybe a few people overlooked.
What happened to Richard in this scene was that he had a crisis of faith. He had basically been giving immortality and witnessed supernatural things that would make anyone a believer, but even he had a crisis of faith deep enough that he doubted his purpose and wanted to die. The thing that energizes me about this scene is what Jack did. He could have left Richard to work it out on his own but he didn't. He went onto a boat full of dynamite and lit a stick. In that moment, Richard needed someone with a faith stronger than his to get down and dirty in his fear and disbelief and see him through it.
How does this apply to Biblical parenting? First, we all need to have lighthouse moments like Jack had. We can't testify to our kids about how God works miracles and how our anchor of hope is lodged in something real and tangible if we haven't experienced it for ourselves. Second, we have to be willing to light the stick of dynamite. We have to be there when they can't see God's plan and ride it out with them. Tonight my daughter asked me if God was real. I was so glad that I could give her a list a mile long of how I know He is real. Because I believe this verse:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15
applies to our kids as well.
Have you been to the lighthouse lately? Have you seen miracles? Have you stepped back to see how God has been working out an infinite number of miracles in your life for His glory? He wants to reveal himself to you. And He wants you to be there for others (including your children) when their pain is so deep that they can't see out. Get in the boat and light the stick and see what God does. Okay, you don't really need to set anything on fire. But be there and tell them that He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
